Matteo gazed at her with all the intensity that he felt.
“No,” Helena said honestly, breathlessly. “I am not.”
“Good,” Matteo answered. “Because neither am I. Understand me, Helena, I would have married Chastity out of duty to you.”
Matteo gently touched her face with his hand.
“And out of love for you, Helena. I would do anything to secure your happiness, and if the way to achieve that was to marry Chastity, then I would do it.”
Helena looked into his green eyes, studied them. And finally, she spoke.
“Do you love me, Matteo?”
“Must you even ask?” He took her hand and placed it on top of his beating heart. “Yes, you are my beloved, the one I dream of marrying, the one Iwantto marry. I am in love with you, Helena, so deeply captivated, so completely in love with you.”
“Oh, Matteo.”
Tears streamed down Helena’s cheeks.
“I love you, I love you!”
Matteo took Helena in his arms. He tightened his hold on her for fear that it was all a dream. He felt such perfect happiness, as if all the suffering, the pain, and neglect in his life were being paid for tenfold with the love that Helena offered him.
He kissed her until he was convinced that she would not disappear. When he lifted his lips from hers, Matteo traced the outline of her cheeks.
“What are you thinking of?” Helena asked Matteo when she noticed his preoccupied look. “Have you become tired of my company already?” she pouted.
“Hardly that! Never that!” Matteo tickled her sides.
When Helen recovered from her laughter, she asked him again.
“Will you ever tell me what you are thinking?”
“Yes, I have almost worked it out in my mind.”
“Worked out what?” Helene was now very intrigued. “Tell me, if you please.”
“Aha! I have got it!”
“Got what?” She slapped him playfully on the chest. “You cruel man!”
“What is the name of your footman, the one who arrived on your heels?”
Helena frowned, clearly confused.
“Roberts.”
“I am in need of him.”
“Of course, but where is your staff?”
“I have dismissed them for the day.”
“All of them?”
“Yes. That is a bachelor’s privilege, you see.” Matteo looked wistfully at her. “But it is a privilege I would be happy to lose.”
“Enough with the riddles, Matteo!” She cuddled closer to him. “Tell me what is in that brain of yours, please!”
